2001 S60 Auto Transmission trouble

[Bigblue]

The car has 115 K on this tranny...That's pretty decent on ANY make or model...

[precopster]

The car has 115 K on this tranny...That's pretty decent on ANY make or model...

My 2000 V70 is hitting 300,000 kms (186k miles) on original 5 speed auto tranny in afew weeks. It needs solenoids.

Of course turbo cars have more torque so if the solenoids play up there's more chance of damage.

[precopster]

I had not plugged in the SLS, SLT and SLU solenoids properly further throwing me into a diagnostic frenzy. They are now connected and no codes until it hits 3rd gear and misses it repeatedly (Missing gear ratio code)

I rigged up a test jig to measure for absence or total loss of the 3rd gear band clamp friction material.

It's just a simple 115mm pushrod with a mark at 85mm length. It has a rounded end (to avoid marking or scratching the bore)

The 85mm mark represents the length of the B4 servo piston and cover from the machined circlip slot in the casing.

First you remove the B4 cover and piston. When you insert the pushrod you match the 85mm mark with the circlip ring position then push in to measure the band deflection. A healthy 3rd gear band will have 3-6mm deflection of the pushrod if the band anchor bolt is in place.

If the friction material isn't there by means of disintegration there will be a huge 20mm deflection of the pushrod.

In my XC '02 the friction material must have shredded as I have a massive 22mm deflection of the pushrod.

The bore in the B4 piston only allows for a maximum of around 8mm deflection.
Now for the impossible task of finding a good used band clamp. It so happens that this clamp is not available as a spare part and isn't included in a rebuild kit.

[precopster]

Locky2001V70 goodluck with the subframe replacement!! Why are you replacing it?

Once you drop the subframe carefully remove the end cover of transmission then take a look at the 3rd gear band. See if the friction material is all there.

Just remove the 27mm bolt once the cover is off and it will release easily enough.

Do you want some photos of what to look for?

[osman]

I know this post is a bit old but since I just did the B4 servo upgrade on my daughters 01 S60 yesterday I want to thank you for the pic of the solenoid piston. After I removed the servo cover, the piston assembly was stuck because one of the o rings had gotten pinched between the wall and the side. Once I finally got the stuck o ring removed, the whole assembly came flying out. After collecting all the pieces I had no idea how to reassemble. Alldata (I was at my friends shop using the lift) had no exploded diagram and all my volvo books were at home. I logged on, found your pic and reassembled everything. The car (with 200K miles) drives now with zero 2-3 or 3-4 flare at all. I have done one flush and some drain and fills and the fluid still comes out black. Oh well I got it for $600 and my daughter likes it. It still has a clunk going from first to second though. I hope once the adaptives reset that it goes away as well. I dont want to have to buy VIDA/DICE to reset the fluid counter, either if I dont have to. Your opinion? Is the adaptive and fluid reset counter that important?

[precopster]

The less time a transmission spends clunking, slipping and generally misbehaving the longer it will last. The internals are VERY fragile.

I know you ONLY spent $600 however that should give you more incentive to look after it and restore it's former glory. My own 2000 V70 non turbo only cost me $860 but I have now spent $3500 in maintenance, tires and upgrades after 3 years and almost 70,000kms so a great car has only cost $1,300/annum including purchase. That's not bad at all.
I couldn't like a car more except for the lack of a/c.

I would definitely invest in Vida/Dice now that you know the transmission is savable. Perhaps have your daughter foot some of that cost??

[osman]

I checked the bottom motor mounts but not the top one and I think the clunk could actually be from a deteriorated upper motor mount. Im trying to get her to send me a pic of it so I can order one if its bad. My daughter is only 18 and is in school and only works part time so I pay for everything but gas (purchase, parts, insurance and maintenance.) I was thrilled with how well the car shifts after replacing the compromised o ring. The servo piston couldnt move at all because of how the o ring had wedged in keeping it immobile. Your pic REALLY saved my ass, there was another Volvo transmission in the shop that we removed the cover and B4 solenoid from, but it was different. I would have bought VIDA/DICE a long time ago, but I prefer the 96-98 models (before ETM) and I use the blue VAG/COM cable above and VOL-FCR. I suppose it would be nice to have the diagrams as well. Does the software work well on a windows XP simulator?